Blogs from León, Castile & León, Spain, Europe

Heute bestand das Frühstück nicht aus einem Buffet, sondern es war ein einzeln zubereiteter Teller mit Ei, Speck, Würstchen, Brötchen, Obst, Kaffee und Orangensaft. Das hat aber auch gut geschmeckt. Danach verließ ich das Hotel und ging zur nahegelegenen Real Basilica San Isidoro. Dort konnte ich auch hineingehen. Der Panteon Real und das Museo de Leon daneben waren aber anscheinend wegen Renovierungsarbeiten geschlossen. Statt dessen ging ich zur Kathedrale und setzte mich in deren Sichtweite erst einmal in ein Café und bestellte einen Cappuccino. Anschließend besichtigte ich dieses Gotteshaus auch von innen. Zuletzt spazierte ich zum Plaza Mayor mit dem Rathaus und einem anderen Platz mit Casa de Botines und Palacio de los Guzmanes. Nachdem ich all das gesehen hatte, kehrte ich zum Hotel zurück. Hier war auch bald meine Wäsche fertig. Es kann sein, dass ... read more

SC writes: So we had to get ourselves back from Santiago to Bilboa, about 700km, in two days. It was long drive, but the roads were very good and very quiet...a lot of EU money has gone into that infrastructure! We had booked to stop over in Leon, simply because it was about half way, but it turned out rather well as Leon is a Great City. We got there but mid afternoon and had time to: Visit the extraordinary Cathedral, which has some of best stained glass in Europe. The interior was impressive, even if one is not religiously inclined. Visit the second of the three Antoni Guadi’s buildings outside of Catalonia; Casa Botines. Again this was a well worthwhile visit and overall we learned a lot more about Gaudi and his influences. I first ... read more

Today the game was all about staying dry. With rain predicted, and having done the long mind numbing walk through León’s industrial area previously, I caught the bus to La Virgen del Camino. Here, the industrial wasteland gives way to more natural scenery, although you are walking on asphalt roads for most of the day. I search out the narrow gravel or grass verges on the edge of the road, as anything softer than tar provides some relief to tired feet. The new boots had their first outing today, and considering the circumstances, passed with flying colours. I had my inserts in the boots to start the day but after 2 kms I reverted to the manufacturer’s ones. I think mine caused the boots to lose half a size, and they were a little to tight. ... read more

Today was all about getting to León. I started moving when others in the Albergue made it clear that peaceful sleep was over. Early stirrings usually grow quickly, until the toilet is queued up, the shhing noise of toothbrushes is constant, and, like me, feet are being prepared for the walk ahead. It’s tempting on a short day to cut corners when getting ready, but the damage is already done by the time you’re on the side of the road, often in the dark, trying to tape wet feet (impossible), a job best done in the relative comfort of the Albergue. I set a good pace today and was on the fringe of León by 10.45am. The last hour from there, trudging through hard city streets, was more gruelling than the rest of the walk. The ... read more

I entered the room and there was an Italian, an American, and a Norwegian woman talking on a bed. I know it sounds like the start of one of those corny jokes but this was my bedroom and these were my room mates. The Italian was having relationship problems, was borderline depressed, and had sought counseling from the others. Then I joined in. This man was pining for a woman he had been seeing for 8 months and appeared to be having a ‘ pause’ from him. The reality I learnt was, the woman was married with 2 children and a husband, and Mr Upset was in a long term relationship of 14 years; that is until she learnt of his new love. His long term partner was boring and had become like a mother and ... read more